Coming down with the flu but don't want to get an influenza vaccination? There are other options that will protect you from the contagious disease, according to New York City-based integrative specialist Svetlana Kogan, M.D.

Kogan runs Integrative Doctors, a clinic in Manhattan that specializes in both Eastern and Western medicine. She was educated at Cornell University and earned her medical degree from the Sackler School of Medicine in New York. She published weight loss guide "Diet Slave No More" last fall.

Advertisement

Related Content

"Once someone gets the flu, the best thing is to keep the body rested - no gym, get to bed on time - and stay hydrated, so you can literally sweat out, pee out and poop out the virus," Kogan told us Friday. "In addition to helping our natural elimination processes, we can help strengthen our immune system by eating a healthy balanced diet in smaller portions than usual and getting at least 8 hours of sleep."

Keeping one's immune system strong is imperative during flu season. Pregnant women should take extra precautions - a supplement like Rainbow Light's Prenatal Multivitamin plus Immune Support can help ward off viruses. The multivitamin contains ginger, broccoli, spirulina and probiotics.

Reported cases of the influenza virus are on the rise, according to the Center for Disease Control. However, the 2016 to 2017 season isn't any worse than previous seasons, Lynette Brammer, an epidemiologist at the federal agency told us Friday.

The Atlanta-based CDC claims that a standard flu shot is the best way to battle the illness, but Kogan disagrees. She also criticizes the growing popularity of alcohol-based sanitizing gels.

"Due to the widespread use of hand sanitizer, people are actually forgetting to wash their hands with water and soap, they just use the sanitizer, and that in my opinion promotes the spread of the infection. Don't look for the studies supporting this claim. The multi-billion dollar sanitizer manufacturing industry would not allow it. We, as doctors, just know this to be true from clinical observations."

Kogan recommends skipping the flu shot and trying the following remedies for relief from flu symptoms like fever, cough and nasal congestion.

Foot baths:

"Fill up a medium to large foot bassinet with hot water. Make sure not to burn yourself, but make it sufficiently hot but still comfortable. Dissolve one heaping tablespoon of dry mustard in the water and slowly lower your feet in – make sure your ankles are fully submerged. Close your eyes and relax for 15 minutes. Dry your feet thoroughly and put warm cotton or wool socks and get a good night sleep. You are sure to wake up feeling 95 percent better."

Gogol-Mogol:

"A soothing cough remedy used for centuries by all Eastern Europeans, from Poles to Ukrainians. Bring eight ounces of whole organic milk to a boil in a ceramic or glass container. Stir in one egg yolk. Add 1/3 teaspoon of organic ghee and 1 teaspoon of organic honey. Stir vigorously. Swallow one teaspoon at a time, slowly, over several minutes. This concoction coats the back of the throat, calms the cough, and improves the hoarseness."

Raspberry for fever:

"Add one teaspoon of raspberry preserves to a cup of hot black tea. This provides a great fever-lowering effect, especially if you have an aversion to acetaminophen or ibuprofen."

Milk with baking soda:

"This is great for cough or scratchy throat. Pre-boil an eight ounce mug of organic whole milk in a glass or ceramic container and stir in one-third a teaspoon of baking soda. Let stand for 15 minutes. Drink slowly over 15 to 20 minutes. This works wonders for adults and kids even though it tastes yucky."

To keep one's immune system up and running, Kogan suggests taking precautions before the start of flu season. In October, have a doctor check your vitamin and mineral levels as well as your liver and kidneys. When flu season hits, make sure to get eight hours of sleep per night and eat a healthy diet of vegetables, meats, nuts, seeds, fish and legumes. If you fly or take public transportation, wear a face mask that covers your mouth and nose.

Finally, don't underestimate the benefits of a sense of humor and positive attitude.

"Good mood and laughter are huge immune boosters. On the other hand, people who are depressed have much higher rates of infections," Kogan said. "So keep smiling."